Monday’s debate among the four remaining mayoralty candidates was a huge success. Kudos to BQNA and YQNA for organizing it so well.

There was a huge turnout - standing room only in the Brigantine Room  - at one o’clock in the afternoon!.

The questions and answers included these:

Question: Mayor Miller promised us no big expansions at the airport, yet that’s what we have seen. The City has been silent. As mayor, will you enforce the Tripartite Agreement?

Ford was amusing. Said he’d sit down with Porter CEO Deluce and see what his plans are. Useless, as expected.

Smitherman answered that one of the best spaces in Toronto is the Yo-Yo Ma Music Garden. He saw it as his obligation to ensure the waterfront is accessible and enjoyable. It needs to be supported, nurtured, and boosted. He said he would be a strong enforcer of the Tripartite agreement. He would use all the powers of the Mayor to ensure Tripartite Agreement enforcement. Said he has a pretty good understanding of what it’s all about, for example caps on flights, late landings. Worried that the TPA is proposing so many flights that it’ll kill off all the attractiveness of the Island Airport.

Added that he doesn’t support a bridge (he confirmed that he had opposed it in the 2002 Bridge Debate), but, inexplicably thinks a pedestrian tunnel will enhance safety.

Pantalone’s answer was similarly unequivocal. “A deal’s a deal. They have to stick to it. I don’t support the tunnel or a bridge.” Is pleased that the Metrolinx Union-Pearson train is happening, so we won’t need the Island Airport at all. Supports fast trains, to eliminate the need for short-haul flying form the Island Airport.

Rossi: “Yes – they have to deal within the deal”. Spoke of fast trains in Europe, but said there isn’t the population density to justify them here.

Question: The Toronto Port Authority is neglecting the crumbling seawalls on the Waterfront.  It also owes the City $43 million in PILT (payment in lieu of taxes as of 2006-2007). Are you in favour of Toronto regaining control of its harbour by making Toronto Port Authority a City Agency?

Smitherman: Theoretically, of course. Not possible at the moment. Spoke of the need fo r a rebalancing of the relationship witht he TPA (as if that’s possible, given our history!).

Ford, true to form, said the City couldn’t afford to take over the TPA. He doesn’t seem to realize that the City pays $4.8 million to the TPA each year pursuant to the Lastman Council litigation settlement – and still can’t collect the arrears of taxes.

Pantalone said it’s not in the public interest that the TPA exists, and explained the history of how it was foisted on the City against its will in 1999. It is a problem on the waterfront. The TPA even charged for touching the water for the Sugar Beach Park.

 I spoke with Smitherman afterwards, and told him that even the Port Authority doesn't argue that the tunnel is required for safety reasons. That it is all about airport expansion, just as the proposed bridge was. He uncomfortably replied that we should agree to disagree on that.

Barbara Hall in 2003 did just the same – vowed that the bridge was required for safety, and lost the election. Of course, it wasn't about safety at all, as expansion went forward without it. Destroyed her credibility.

 Has Smitherman been captured by the same moneyed interests that captured Hall  and led to her taking that anti-waterfront position? Is there a better explanation?

 Brian Iler